Feb 12 • 13:32 UTC 🇫🇮 Finland Yle Uutiset

Expert: Wolt could indicate substitutes visibly to customers

Wolt's delivery drivers are renting out their work accounts to others due to delays in obtaining delivery accounts, leading to ethical concerns about fairness in the gig economy.

Wolt, a prominent food delivery service, is facing criticism as its delivery drivers are reportedly renting out their work accounts to others, a practice that has raised important ethical questions regarding the gig economy. The current system requires drivers to wait for approval to obtain a delivery account, prompting some to rent their accounts for substantial sums, sometimes paid informally. The CEO of Wolt, Marianne Vikkula, admitted that the extent of this issue came as a surprise to the company, highlighting a gap in oversight of their operations.

Restaurant owners interviewed expressed significant concerns over this practice, deeming it unfair and detrimental to the service's integrity. One restaurateur, Jukka-Pekka Annala, has decided to stop using delivery services altogether, emphasizing the negative impact that this situation is having on the restaurant industry's trust in delivery platforms. The article emphasizes a broader contemplation of social justice within platform economies, suggesting that Wolt should adopt more transparent practices to address these concerns.

Expert Ville Päivänsalo, who specializes in theological ethics and social ethics, is interviewed to discuss potential ways Wolt could enhance social justice in its operations. The dialogue centers around the need for the company to implement measures that promote fairness and accountability, thereby improving the overall experience for both workers and customers in the gig economy. This occurrence signals to other companies in similar sectors the importance of responsible operational practices and responsiveness to the ethical implications of their business models.

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